A fun game with its quirky humor and innovative concept. The game is easy to learn and enjoyable to play as one helps Sam through his day, but it can begin to pall from simple repetitiveness as one replays chapters and hears the same jokes a few too many times. With its mostly easy achievement list and fast playing time, it will be a fun addition to most achievement seekers' collections.

Axiom Verge is a brilliant homage to the 'metroidvania' origins back in the 8-bit and 16-bit eras. Whilst the choice to be so uncompromising in its retro style might not suit everyone, the gameplay in the title remains compelling and manages to maintain that fine balance in the level of difficulty for being challenging for all players without becoming frustrating.

While the gameplay and storyline certainly aren't lacking and will likely keep Gears fans amused, The Coalition seems reluctant to let the past go and to move on. Away from the campaign, there are tweaks to competitive multiplayer that include a couple of new game modes, but the real focus of the title is the improved Horde mode.

While it doesn't stack up to PES on the pitch, everything else away from it makes FIFA 17 a worthwhile purchase for fans of the beautiful game.

Livelock at its core is a simple and enjoyable twin-stick shooter that faltered due to an equal amount of hits and misses in the heart of the experience.

If "Rise of Iron" is Bungie's last injection of content into Destiny, it is underwhelming and will need serious support to sustain the player base for the rest of this year and next. That being said, if you want more Destiny (but not much more), "Rise of Iron" is for you.

The developers have done a great job in creating a tense adventure and if you're simply curious in seeing what it's like to play a live-action game, or if you're up for a little atmosphere in your next title, then The Bunker is certainly worth the trip.

Virginia is a game because of its avenues of release and its use of a controller, but it is the most cinematic, movie-like game that may have yet been created.

Though the score accompanying this review is lower than the score I gave the premiere, in some ways "Children of Arkham" is the superior episode. This game exists first and foremost because it wants to tell a story. While the first episode set the table and promised a lot to be excited about, this follow-up begins to deliver on those promises in ways that are fresh, riveting, and challenging to Bruce, Batman, and the player alike.

Dear Esther is a boring slog with little narrative payoff. Although it does encourage an ideal of "interpret as you will", it lacks the foundation and support to drive discussions of death, life, and grief to the point to which it strives. Fortunately, the experience is short, cheap, and a good boost to an achievement score, but beyond that, is worth a pass.

The expansive roster of cars are all beautifully designed right down to the smallest detail. The setting is stunning with very few walls and boundaries to inhibit your freedom, and now you can experience all of the fun in four-player co-op with the added bonus of being able to customise almost every aspect of each race to your choosing. Quite simply put, Forza Horizon 3 is the pinnacle of open-world racers available on the Xbox One.

The campaign is the best part of the game but is halted in its tracks by gates that require players to grind before they can pass. The sole purpose of the game's open world is to be filled with collectibles, while the optional dungeons are inferior versions of their campaign counterparts. Long loading times and other smaller bugs interrupt flow and disrupt the player experience. Then there's the problem of the missing content. If ever a game felt like it was rushed to release, it is this one.

With only a small range of licenses and a lacklustre editor, those that value authenticity, an entirely reasonable demand considering that the aim of these games is to recreate the sport to its fullest, may want to wait a few weeks to see how the new FIFA fares before making a purchase.

Mount & Blade: Warband features some innovative ideas that many other games in the genre haven't explored. The focus on the political nature of warring countries as well as the actual combat gives players multiple ways to play. It is unfortunate that many of these features are left largely unexplained, though, and they require more than a small amount of trial and error to figure out exactly how to proceed. The steep learning curve and low production values may put many people off, although its open-endedness offers players far more replayability than many other games in the genre.

Despite some awkward controls and less-than-exciting missions, the game gives a loving nod to the Star Trek universe. Its fine eye for detail in the Star Trek mythos and its excellent customization options add an extra dimension of depth to what would otherwise have been a hum-drum game.

For some, the gameplay might get a little too repetitive too quickly, and the amount of luck that comes into it means that this game probably will make you angry along the way. If you can get past the need for trial and error, and just take this game as a bit of fun, then no doubt your journey with the King will be an enjoyable one.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided provides an interesting and at times thought provoking story which is set in a detailed and immersive world that is begging to be explored. The lack of character development in some of the enemies, the occasional technical issues, and the ending which leaves too many questions unanswered are blemishes, no doubt, but for anyone looking for a rewarding single-player experience the variety of gameplay and replay value on offer makes Mankind Divided an easy recommendation.

The hidden object and puzzle gameplay is solid, and is only let-down by the clunky mahjong controls. However, the story is an enjoyable romp across a cursed island. If it's one thing that Artifex Mundi fans have learned, it's that you never go anywhere on a dark and stormy night when there is no shortage of supernatural threats.

The game is straightforward and fun except for the frustrating lack of instructions on how things work.

It's a brilliant simulation, but it comes at the price of even being called a game.

The Turing Test delivers not just a worthwhile game but an amazing story that will sit with you long after the credits.

While there are a few minor nitpicks here and there, Hue is an easy game to recommend. There's nothing world-changing on offer here, but the warm and vibrant colours in combination with an intriguing narrative and satisfying puzzles make it a pleasant experience to play. Throw in the easy completion and it's the perfect game to play through on a lazy day or across a weekend.

F1 2016 clearly shows that Codemasters are heading back towards the finest installments of the franchise.

The online is mostly where they lie. There's problems with games being abandoned, players not playing and the game not actually letting you play. On top of that, games can simply just go on for too long and they eventually just become tedious rather than fun. If you are just looking to play Uno then this offering will fulfill your desire, but with a game that is simply called Uno, what else would you expect?

Worms W.M.D continues to deliver exactly what we have come to expect from the series and fans will not be disappointed.

The limited but excellent soundtrack and local competitive modes make the overall package well worth playing if you're a fan of this type of game. Just don't expect anything groundbreaking -- pun intended, again.

This game is probably only for enthusiasts of the twin-stick shooter genre or for those with a large enough streaming audience to keep the game interesting.

Only the most patient players will succeed here and a completion will not be easy, but those that persist will be awarded with many hours of gameplay.

It may not reach the heights of the original game, but "Inheritance" is still a commendable return to this creepy house.

You'll quickly get the gist of the basic gameplay, but as you progress then you will realise that strategic thinking and a few quick reflexes will be required to come out victorious.

Fans of the studio, and especially fans of the character, can rightfully get excited for the season ahead. Under the cowl, and just as often not, Episode One: Realm of Shadows is a worthy introduction to comics' greatest hero.

If you're a fan of Kinect, there's no reason why this game shouldn't be in your collection because FRU is a game that is testament to what could be achieved with Microsoft's peripheral.

While there is fun to be had here, Super Mutant Alien Assault quickly gets repetitive because of the short levels and the fact that you only have 12 levels to complete.

In short, if you're not a fan, steer well clear of this one.

Ultimately, this is one of those rare games that really is exactly what it looks like. It's an indie platformer with plenty of heart and a challenge worth staying for.

Inside is a game that has to be experienced first-hand to be understood and I’d urge everyone to play it. At three to four hours it is on the short side, but thanks to the thought provoking and surprising story, tight gameplay and exceptional sound and visual design, Inside will leave a long lasting impression that will more than make it worth its price tag.

Videoball is a wholly different experience with friends -- extremely fun, ultra competitive, and endlessly rewarding. Rivalries will form and bonds will be tested, but in the end, Videoball does more good than harm and exists as something unlike anything else that you've played.

Tumblestone is a fun game for the first several hours but then it starts becoming tedious from the sheer number of puzzles that you face. For puzzle lovers, the promised 40+ hours of story mode will be a boon. For more casual puzzlers, the hundreds of puzzles that are required to complete the game could be a trial, as well as the difficulty of some of the puzzles.

Fans of the genre might be able to enjoy Van Helsing's latest adventure through the city of Borgovia and its surrounding areas, but only if they have the patience to wade through its many problems.

Kung-Fu for Kinect can occasionally suffer from problems with reading the more complicated moves that are required from players, and navigating through the side-scrolling levels is a chore, but players will feel like a kung-fu superstar with even the most basic of moves. Or they'll feel like a physical wreck.

Despite its age, TT Games continues to breathe new life into the LEGO franchise each year and brings both new and old fans in for some block-tastic action.

Whether it's quest givers taking an age to actually appear, murder targets similarly not showing for a while when you travel to a town, or simply the screen constantly jerking whilst you try and travel, all of these ruin what should be an enjoyable, if not slightly disturbing killing spree.

If you're returning to Stoic's Saga then it's more of what you enjoyed, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. If you're a fan of the genre and new to the series, The Banner Saga 2 is absolutely worth your time, just make time for its predecessor first.

Unfortunately, the game offers nothing innovative or entertaining; it's simply a way for the company to make a quick buck based on better games in the series.

Mighty No. 9 fails to fill the shiny blue, metallic, oversized boots of its predecessor. The game manages to capture the essentials of the previous titles without capturing the essence.

Heart&Slash is a highly fun game that presents a real challenge and requires a lot of determination in order to progress. Unfortunately, the sporadic camera spoils what would have been a great game.

A solid racing game that offers more content than any of the previous releases in the series. The single-player offering is vastly improved thanks to a much deeper, personal and varied career mode, and the introduction of the Valentino Rossi experience which gives players a genuine insight into one of the sport’s most iconic riders. It’s just a shame that the game’s engine can’t quite can’t quite keep up the pace with all of Milestone’s other improvements.

If you're a fan of simulations, Prison Architect is one of the best there is.

While Neon Chrome is largely fun to play and offers a challenging journey through numerous levels of enemies, after a little time and plenty of deaths its too easy for the game to start to feel tedious.

While the story is nothing to write home about, the core gameplay of Mirror's Edge Catalyst is its biggest strength.

Overall, Deadlight: Director's Cut is a good game even for those not into zombie apocalypse titles, but beware of the drawbacks.

This title offers a typical Sherlock Holmes storyline and an easy completion, but its issues turn this into a mediocre affair rather than the elementary experience that you would expect from Holmes himself.

Hard Reset Redux is a fairly competent FPS that channels the pace and tenacity of the old school shooters that inspired it. Unfortunately, there just isn’t enough meat on the bone for it to be great.

The level design and watered down combat leaving the game feeling more like a button mashing grind than the deep combat intensive hack and slash that it could have been.

The game has a striking look, is generally fun to play and provides a challenge, particular for those going for full completion. Those who enjoy their hardcore platformers should definitely take a look, others may find the game to be more frustrating than fun.

The story is unique but it can be difficult to follow at first as you will become confused by the unusual cutscenes that play at the end of each level. If you persevere with the game, though, it is a rewarding experience that will offer you plenty of content.

Adventure fans shouldn't pass up the chance of another easy completion even if it involves two playthroughs instead of one. For those who don't normally play this type of game, Grim Legends, or any Artifex Mundi game for that matter, continues to be a great starting point for their entry into the genre.

DOOM is back and it’s hellishly good.

One Piece: Burning Blood is enjoyable even for those unfamiliar with the anime, but the game is at its best for those who already have some knowledge of the story's events.

The setting for Far Harbor itself is not the most exciting due to its foggy nature and a generally dull and dark world. That being said, there's plenty here to keep you busy, interested and more than entertained for a good number of hours.

Not a Hero is a lot of fun with its cheesy humor and simple game mechanic, but players can expect to die A LOT in their bid to help BunnyLord gain global domination. The game quickly becomes quite difficult, especially for people new to shooters.

OlliOlli 2 takes everything that was found in its predecessor and builds on it to create a smoother and more addictive experience.

Battleborn does well in offering you both multiplayer modes and missions without pressuring you into concentrating on a certain mode. They're interesting and exciting, but do begin to get tedious when you have to play them continuously due to the small selection of modes and maps.

The SUPERHOT Team managed to take what seems like a fairly simple mechanic and turn it into a game that is full of possibilities...The game is one of the most innovative shooters in years.

Prospective drivers will have to work hard for it but, ultimately, for those prepared to work and put in the effort, there is a massively rewarding driving experience here.

DC Universe Online isn't going to be an MMO that will be remembered for years to come, but it is still entertaining for those who are fans of the genre and for someone who wants to get stuck into a world of superheroes and villains.

While it may be a little rough around the edges, Coffin Dodgers is a fun and simple racer. The cartoony feel to the game makes it easy to admire while you race around the annoyingly short tracks, and the soundtrack is a perfect light accompaniment. Unfortunately, the game has a few problems that keep it from being great, rather than just good. The lack of online multiplayer in a racing game of this kind is a disappointment, and the length of the story and tracks themselves mean the game is over too quickly.

The game is fun, especially for fans of matching games, despite its awkward controls. Successfully completing levels opens up new challenges and new abilities, keeping the game fun while encouraging the improvement of skills. The main campaign can be done in under fifteen hours, giving gamers plenty of time solving puzzles without turning into a major grind.

The bright and innocent atmosphere here gives off a walk in the park vibe that is undermined by the game's deceptively challenging puzzles. With seemingly no incentive given to each level's time and unlockable stars, however, Skyling missed out on an opportunity to challenge the player to continually outdo past runs and perfect each level.

Staging fights and being able to spruce up your settlement more is always appreciated, but even for a small DLC, there's even less than you might be expecting here and it does lose its charm fairly quickly.

Below the surface there isn't too much else to see with this title, so you will be done with it relatively quickly. Nonetheless, if going on a killing rampage while dancing the night away sounds like your kind of night out then it may be worth checking out.

There's nothing groundbreaking going on here, but there's enough for players to have a few hours of fun riding their bike around a muddy track.

Another solid adventure game from Artifex Mundi. Despite bringing the gameplay back to basics with hidden object scenes and point & click problem solving, players must use their own initiative to progress through the game, while the new Evidence Wall means that players will truly become immersed in the story rather than watching the events play out. Unfortunately, the amount of backtracking and sometimes cluttered hidden object scenes can lead to some frustration, and the variable quality of the voice acting can be grating. Despite this, adventure fans shouldn't pass up the chance of another easy completion.

Soda Drinker Pro, gaming's equivalent to carbonated sugar water, might be enjoyable in very strict moderation, but it's hard to forget that one would be better off to consume nearly anything else.

Overall, despite the bugs, it's an enjoyable experience that requires the player to stay on his or her toes while keeping the crystal's light alive.

However, if you get a few friends together, Stikbold! becomes the ideal party game that is just a good bit of fun.

The game might stumble slightly on the way with occasional difficulty changes and linearity of some areas, but this will be quickly overshadowed by the many things the game gets right.

The episode itself is still very short, and isn't something that you should expect to take up an entire afternoon, but what you do play will be enjoyable.

Dirt Rally is a true return to form for Codemasters' Dirt franchise and may be the company's best title to date.

Overall, the Thieves Guild have been updated nicely, and will be enjoyable for anyone who has had fun among the sleuths in past Elder Scrolls games.

The Division’s dense and stunningly recreated version of New York City provides an interesting environment for you to explore, and the overall story arc ties each of its components together in a cohesive way. There are a few bugs here and there that need ironing out in post release patches, but none of them felt game breaking or detracted from the overall enjoyment of the game.

The time manipulation powers are as special as Max Payne's "bullet time" or Alan Wake's fighting with light. The time travel storyline is one that lends itself to discussion, speculation, and adoration among genre fans. Both of these things are then aided by a great cast and truly stunning audio and visual design. Not without missteps, Quantum Break is still an exceptional title that takes chances and looks like the makings of a successful new franchise. In short, it's a hell of a time.

While playing Trackmania Turbo, the same two words kept cropping up -- missed potential. The game does have some very creative tracks, and the trackcreator is a fun mode if you want to simply mess about and see what happens, but a lot of the game takes some unexciting turns.

Whilst there’s nothing here in this DLC that will wow you, the quest line will keep you busy for a couple of hours at least and being able to build and customise your own robots to your heart's content is a nice addition.

The HITMAN "Intro Pack" tries to squeeze out as much gameplay as it can from a limited amount of content. While it succeeds in doing so, it also has a tendency to become quite repetitive and long loading times have a tendency to hinder the experience. What it does do is create a solid foundation upon which the rest of the content can build.

MagNets: Fully Charged is a dull and uninspired game that will ultimately be overshadowed by a marketplace that sees games pumped out at a constant rate.

The mixture of resources and weapons can create exciting scenarios as rockets and lasers fly across the screen, but there is still a large element of strategy in what you're doing. The game leans more towards those who are a fan of the genre and others won't feel the need to play past the story, but it still does a serviceable job at trying to cater to a wider audience.

For fans of the first Garden Warfare game, this sequel is a must play. For those who haven't had the chance to experience the plants and zombies war yet, it's hard to find a reason not to recommend this game.

While this tale had promise, the lack of a central villain means that the story also lacks focus and is relegated to the sidelines while the side missions take pride of place.

Its total package exhibits shades of similar titles, like the precision of Trials HD, the colorful and fun imagery of Joe Danger, and the speed of Sonic The Hedgehog. The fact that it does all of these things so well, in one go, is what makes the game a must-play for genre fans.

Tiny Troopers Joint Ops is an easy to pick up, fun little twin stick shooter and it's hard to criticize the title or find any particular fault with the game.

Overall, Wondershot is a fun game for brief spurts of time, especially if one has friends with which to play. When alone, however, the game quickly becomes tedious and frustrating, and this can become a real problem since online play is not an option -- a serious oversight by the developer since the game is geared to be a party game.

Gunscape's aim to give users a simple way to create and share their own arenas and campaigns is no small feat, but Blowfish Studios has managed to achieve it using an editor that is already familiar to gamers. The main downside is that the game's stability issues can be a major hindrance and lead to more frustration.

The simplistic design of the game makes it extremely easy to pick up and play for newcomers, while at the same time allowing players to develop their skill and understanding of the game through practice.

The Walking Dead: Michonne "In Too Deep" is easily one of the shortest episodes to be released and won't take you long to complete, but Michonne is an intriguing character and she has a lot of emotional baggage. Seeing how she will develop in the next two episodes is enough to make you want to come back for more.

The survival system here, complete with all of the afflictions that are actively working against you, is the high point of the game, and is something that continually presents the player with a real challenge throughout their journey. It’s a constant battle of intense survival where planning for the present and future is always a necessity.

There have been much shorter and less polished games for the price point of £15.99/$19.99, so even though it's not exceptionally long, the quality easily counteracts this. If you're after an enthralling experience, horror fan or not, Layers of Fear is a great way to satisfy the itch.

A simple point-and-click game that won't tax many of those little grey cells. The game constantly guides the player through the events of Agatha Christie's novel and the no-fail approach means that Adventure game novices can reach the end of the story, although the lack of challenge may discourage more ardent Adventure players from trying the title.